"Assessing The Awareness Of Cardiac Disease Among Guardians Of Cardiac Patients In A Tertiary Care Hospital: A Cross-Sectional Study"

Abstract

Background: Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are indeed a leading cause of death worldwide,
responsible for about one in four deaths. The burden of CVDs continues to rise due to multiple factors, including poor awareness about the disease, lack of education on its risk factors, and insufficient understanding of preventive measures.
Objectives: The objective of this study was to evaluate the knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to cardiovascular health among family members of cardiac patients attending a tertiary care hospital.
Materials and Methods: This study was carried out among 150 adult participants, consisting of
family members of cardiac patients. A stepwise, questionnaire-based approach was used to interview the family members, utilizing surveillance methods and other resources, with all responses being scored.
Results: The analysis of 150 family members caring for cardiac patients reveals key insights.
Younger adults (30% aged 31–40 years) predominantly serve as caregivers, with most having at least secondary education. A majority (82.7%) rely on healthcare professionals for health information, while 71.3% consistently accompany patients to the hospital. Emotional (40%) and financial (36.7%) strains are prevalent, though 30% find caregiving fulfilling. The chi-square test yielded no significant difference (χ² = 0.0, p = 1.0), indicating that time spent with patients does not significantly impact family members' knowledge of heart health.
Conclusion: Our study reveals a gap between knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to
cardiovascular health. Although knowledge scores were slightly lower, caregivers exhibited strong attitudes and practices. This underscores the significant role that doctors and healthcare professionals play in educating caregivers about cardiac diseases.